Ospreys agree Byrne deal with ASM Clermont Auvergne

Posted on Feb 1, 2011 in Rugby News

The Ospreys today confirmed that they have reached agreement with ASM Clermont Auvergne regarding the early release of Lee Byrne from his contract with the region.

Full-back Byrne is contracted with the Ospreys until the end of the 2011/12 season, but the region has reluctantly agreed to the player’s request to be released early, following a similar approach twelve month’s previously.

With the Ospreys having now reached agreement with the French club, Byrne will be free to join the T14 side at the end of the current campaign after five years at the Liberty Stadium.

Ospreys Managing Director, Mike Cuddy, explained:

“First and foremost, the Ospreys are about developing local talent, and producing players not only for the region, but for the national team also. As such, it is extremely disappointing to lose a player who hails from the region, and who has been, and continues to be, an excellent servant to the Ospreys.

“Our determination to keep Lee at the Ospreys meant that we fought hard to keep him here, turning down a similar request twelve months ago, but unfortunately, the circumstances are such that we now find ourselves in this position where we have reluctantly agreed to release Lee, given his desire to take on a fresh challenge following the Rugby World Cup later this year.

“We would not have seen much of Lee next season, when he will be 31, and for him to have the security of a three-year contract and the change of lifestyle that this move will allow him is a fantastic personal opportunity and we wish him the best of luck. Between now and the end of the season, I have no doubt that he will continue to give the Ospreys the same unquestionable commitment he always has in his time with us.”

Byrne signed for the Ospreys in the summer of 2006 from the Scarlets, marking his debut for the region with a try in the 17-11 win over Edinburgh at the Liberty Stadium on the opening weekend of the 06/07 campaign. In his time with the Ospreys he has established himself as first choice fullback for Wales, as well as representing the British & Irish Lions in South Africa, and to date has made 89 appearances for the region, scoring 27 tries.

Ospreys Elite Performance Director, Andrew Hore, added:

“Lee has served the Ospreys well in his time with us, and has developed from a back three utility player into a highly accomplished fullback capable of competing at the top level. However, it is the nature of professional sport that players move on and teams evolve, which is why have reluctantly agreed to this deal with Clermont Auvergne to release Lee from his contract at the end of this season, a year early.

“Confirming the position at this early stage allows us to plan for next season with a degree of certainty, and to identify the key areas where we need to strengthen the squad with a view to 2011/12 and beyond.”

Lee Byrne commented:

“I’ll be sad to leave my home region but this was too good an opportunity for me to turn down at this stage of my career and I’m excited about what the future holds for me in France, and the challenges that lie ahead for me.

“I’m extremely thankful to the Directors of the Ospreys for the way that they have handled this, allowing me to look ahead to what will be a fantastic experience for me. In the longer term, the Ospreys is my region, and I’d like to think that I will be able to return here before my career is over.”

Albion hand teen duo a chance

Posted on Jan 21, 2011 in Rugby News

Plymouth Albion will hand teenage hooker Rupert Freestone his debut in Saturday’s British & Irish Cup match against Worcester Warriors at Sixways (3pm).

Freestone’s chance comes due to injuries to fellow hookers Gareth Evans and Gavin O’Meara.

The 19-year-old, who has been gaining league experience on-loan at Tavistock this season, will line-up in a youthful front-row, alongside 21-year-old loosehead prop George Porter and 22-year-old tighthead David Morton.

Another teenage forward, Sam Matavesi, is also included in Albion’s starting team.

Flanker Matavesi, who only turned 19 last week, will be making only his second start for the club. His first came in Plymouth’s opening British & Irish Cup match against Leinster in December.

With 20-year-old backs Tom Kessell and Mark Lee also in their team, Albion will have plenty of young West Country talent on show at Sixways on Saturday.

The trip to Worcester will be Albion’s third consecutive away match in the British & Irish Cup, with the club having also face tough trips to holders Cornish Pirates and Leinster.

But Albion will finally have a home game on Tuesday when they play Newport in a re-arranged match at Brickfields (kick-off 7.45pm).

Graham Dawe’s side, who currently sit eighth in the Championship table, will then face an important league game away at sixth-placed Doncaster on Saturday, January 29.

Albion’s team to face Worcester: M Lee, F McLoughlin, B Mercer, K Fisilau, C Mitchell, K Hallett (capt), T Kessell, G Porter, R Freestone, D Morton, R Copeland, T Hotson, W Sprangle, S Matavesi, S Hocking. Reps: R Cushion, A Davies, S Tu’ipulotu, R Hopkins, A Carpenter, T Skelding, S-M Stephen.

Monday ERC result.

Posted on Dec 21, 2010 in Rugby News

POOL 1

Edinburgh 24 Castres Olympique 22
HT: 14-10 Attendance: 0
Edinburgh: Try – Simon Webster, Tim Visser, Lee Jones; Conversion – Chris Paterson (2) , David Blair; Penalty – David Blair; Yellow Card – Greig Laidlaw
Castres Olympique: Try – Sébastien Tillous-Borde, Rodrigo Capo Ortega; Conversion – Seremaia Bai (2) ; Penalty – Pierre Bernard; Penalty Try
Match points: Edinburgh 4pts, Castres Olympique 1pts

Sharks keep their faith in youth

Posted on Nov 12, 2010 in Rugby News

Sale Sharks have named their squad to play Leeds Carnegie at Headingley in the LV= Cup on Sunday (kick off 3.00 p.m.). Iain Thornley (19) makes his first start and there’s a debut for Cumbrian winger Will Addison, aged 18.

Sharks: 15 Nick Macleod, 14 Rhys Crane, 13 Fergus Mulchrone, 12 Iain Thornley, 11 Will Addison, 10 Matty James, 9 Dwayne Peel, 1 Lee Imiolek, 2 Ben Roberts, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Chris Jones, 5 Sean Cox (Captain), 6 Chris Brightwell, 7 Neil McMillan, 8 Asaeli Boko.

Replacements 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Aston Croall, 18 Simon McIntyre, 19 Nic Rouse, 20 Dan Hall, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Chris Leck, 23 Anitelea Tuilagi.

The Sharks will again be under coaches Byron Hayward and Pete Anglesea.  Earlier this week, Pete said, “What the young players showed against London Irish is that they are a lot more mature both physically and mentally than most of their counterparts. They seemed to instantly adapt to senior rugby and it’s a credit to those lads.
“They are mentally tough and mentally mature. They are not fazed and I don’t want to knock that young players’ mentality out of them as I want them to play without fear.
“If your gut instinct tells you it’s the right thing, then I always think that’s the way you should play. The moment you remove that they lose something.”

Penrith-born winger Will Addison returned from injury to score two tries from full back in a friendly against Oxford University last Monday.

“He really stepped up to the mark and looked like a Chris Ashton type player and at the moment he’s really special,” Anglesea added.

Wales sevens squad announced

Posted on Sep 29, 2010 in Welsh Rugby

Wales Sevens head coach Paul John has selected a strong blend of experience and talent in the squad for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Cross Keys back row Jevon Groves leads a side which includes two Rugby World Cup Sevens winners in Richie Pugh and Lee Wiliams who return to the side after an eighteen month absence. There are three uncapped Sevens players in the squad with Wales wing Tom Prydie and fellow Ospreys flier Kristian Phillips both earning a place in the 12-man squad, along with Llanelli lock Aaron Shingler.

The remaining six places go to experienced Wales Sevens players who have been regular squad members since the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in March 2009, with Jevon Groves, Ifan Evans and Alex Cuthbert participating in all eight of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series tournaments.

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